Analysis of the nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials and storage methods of synthetic ammonia

properties of Synthetic Ammonia

synthetic ammonia (NH) is a colorless gas with a strong pungent odor, which is lighter than air. Chemically, ammonia is a weak base, easily soluble in water, the formation of ammonia. Its molecular structure is a triangular cone, with the nitrogen atom in the center and three hydrogen atoms around it. Ammonia is highly hydrophilic and can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Ammonia can react with oxygen, hydrogen, etc. at high temperature and high pressure to generate different compounds.

Uses of synthetic ammonia

fertilizer production

the main use of synthetic ammonia is used in the production of chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers such as urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonia. These nitrogen fertilizers play a key role in agricultural production and can significantly increase the yield and quality of crops. About 80% of the world's synthetic ammonia is used in fertilizer manufacturing.

Chemical Products

synthetic ammonia is an important raw material for many chemical products, such as amino acids, nylon, nitro compounds, amino resins, etc. These products are widely used in plastics, textile, pharmaceutical and other industries. Ammonia is also used in the production of nitric acid, which reacts with oxygen to produce nitric oxide, which is further converted into nitric acid, which also has a place in the manufacture of explosives, dyes, etc.

Refrigerant

liquid ammonia has good refrigeration performance, so it is widely used in industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Compared with other refrigerants, liquid ammonia has better refrigeration effect and lower cost, but its toxicity and corrosiveness also limit its use.

Water treatment

ammonia and its derivatives have important applications in the water treatment industry, such as ammonia nitrogen removal and wastewater treatment. Ammonia can generate chloramine through chlorination, which is a common disinfectant, widely used in the disinfection of water plants and swimming pool water.

Upstream and downstream raw materials for ammonia synthesis

upstream raw materials

the main raw materials for ammonia synthesis are nitrogen and hydrogen. Nitrogen is usually obtained by air separation, about 78% of the air is nitrogen, the use of cryogenic separation technology can efficiently obtain pure nitrogen. There are many ways to obtain hydrogen, the most common of which is obtained by natural gas steam reforming, coal gasification or water electrolysis. Natural gas steam reforming is currently the most widely used method for hydrogen production in industrial production because of its relatively low cost and mature technology.

Downstream Products

downstream products mainly include various nitrogen fertilizers, chemical intermediates, refrigerants and water treatment agents. As the basic raw material of these products, the market demand of synthetic ammonia is closely related to the development of agricultural production and chemical industry. Therefore, the production of synthetic ammonia should not only meet the direct market demand, but also pay attention to the development of the relevant industrial chain.

Production process of synthetic ammonia

the production process of synthetic ammonia is mainly the Haber method (Haber-Bosch method), which synthesizes ammonia gas through nitrogen and hydrogen at high temperature and pressure and under the action of a catalyst. The specific steps are as follows:

1. raw material gas preparation: Nitrogen is obtained by air separation, and hydrogen is produced by natural gas steam reforming or water electrolysis.
2. gas purification: Remove impurities in the raw gas, such as carbon dioxide, sulfide, etc., to avoid catalyst poisoning.
3. ammonia synthesis reaction under the conditions of high temperature (400-500 ℃), high pressure (15-25MPa) and iron-based catalyst, nitrogen and hydrogen react to generate ammonia.
4. Product separation and recovery: The ammonia gas is liquefied by cooling, separated from the reaction mixture, and the unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled back to the reactor.

Storage Method of Synthetic Ammonia

synthetic ammonia is a gas at normal temperature and pressure, but it has a high vapor pressure, so special attention should be paid to safety issues during storage. Generally, there are several storage methods for synthetic ammonia:

liquid ammonia storage

liquid ammonia storage is to cool ammonia to below its boiling point (-33.34 ℃) and store it in a high-pressure steel cylinder or storage tank after liquefaction. This method can greatly reduce the volume and improve the storage efficiency. However, due to the corrosive and toxic nature of liquid ammonia, the storage tank must be made of special materials and set up safety protection measures, such as leakage alarm device and emergency spray system.

gas ammonia storage

gaseous ammonia storage is generally used in smaller-scale use cases, such as laboratories or small factories. Gas ammonia is usually stored in high-pressure cylinders, the pressure can reach more than 200bar. Gas cylinders for ammonia storage also need to have corrosion resistance and pressure resistance, and regular inspection to prevent leakage.

ammonia synthesis storage

in some cases, ammonia can be used immediately in the synthesis reactor or stored for a short period of time, avoiding the safety hazards associated with long-term storage. This method is suitable for enterprises with high demand and continuous production of ammonia, and reduces storage and transportation risks through instant synthesis and instant use.

Development Trend of Synthetic Ammonia Industry

as the global population grows and agricultural demand increases, the demand for synthetic ammonia continues to rise. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations have prompted manufacturers to continuously improve their processes and reduce energy consumption and emissions. In the future, the development prospects of green ammonia (such as hydrogen production through the electrolysis of water from renewable energy sources) are promising, which is expected to replace traditional fossil fuel hydrogen production and further reduce the carbon footprint. The application of synthetic ammonia in energy storage and transportation is also advancing, which provides a new idea for the optimization of future energy system.

As an important chemical raw material and basic industrial product, the production, storage and application of synthetic ammonia involve a wide range of fields. With technological progress and changes in market demand, the synthetic ammonia industry will continue to develop, providing important support for agriculture and chemical industries.